Pam Walters

Phyllis Adele Molen "Pam" Walters was born on September 21, 1941 in Grandview Hospital, Dayton, Ohio to her loving parents, Earl and Myrtle Molen (deceased). Pam grew up in a loving household which provided dance lessons and piano lessons. Plus, her father taught her about wood working, and how to fix things around the house. Her Mother was interested in art and taught Pam to do painting, water coloring and sewing.

Pam attended Wilbur Wright High School and graduated in May, 1959. She attended Miami University, Oxford, Ohio and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, graduating in May, 1963. At Miami University, Pam tried out for the Synchronized Swimming (artistic swim) Team and was on the team for three years plus doing modern dancing for the Miami Dance Club.

Pam Molen and Dale Walters were married on July 20, 1963 at First Christian Church, Dayton, Ohio, then moved to Richmond, Virginia for Dale to earn his master's degree in psychology while Pam taught first grade. For two summers in Richmond, Pam taught swimming lessons (a natural teacher) for a private day care pool. In August, 1965, Pam and Dale moved to Knoxville, Tennessee for Dale to work on his doctorate in psychology and Pam taught first grade. Pam and Dale moved in August, 1966 to Topeka, Kansas as Dale accepted a position with the Menninger Foundation and ended temporarily his graduate education. Pam, again, taught elementary school in USD 501.

Pam and Dale enjoyed Topeka, developed friendships, took drives to the countryside, attended the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra plus the Sunflower Music Festivals, and took vacations, especially to Colorado and the Ozarks.

Then, in April, 1969, Pam and Dale adopted the cutest baby girl and named her Marcy Lynn Walters. Pam and Dale spoiled her, loved her and cared for her. Then, in August, 1971, Pam and Dale adopted a baby boy and named him Ward Owen Walters. They also spoiled him, loved him and cared for him. Pam was a great Mother, supporting and guiding her children in various ways. Now, Pam stopped full-time teaching to be with her children and became a substitute teacher, helping out occasionally the USD 501 school system. As the kids got older, Pam started teaching bridge to newcomers in our dining room in our home, then began to teach bridge at the Crestview Community Center plus began to teach introductory dance to beginners there as well. Pam loved to dance and years ago at the old Flaming Steer Restaurant (South Topeka, Blvd.), Pam and Dale won the contest for best jitterbug dancers.

Years went by, the kids grew up, Marcy attended Kansas State University earning a degree in Interior Design and Ward worked for Tony's Restaurant and then Pizza Hut. Then, Ward was involved in a car accident and was killed in February, 1993. This sent all of us in a tailspin, especially Pam who became depressed, anxious and drank to handle her emotions. Pam and Dale tried to work things out after thirty-two years of marriage, but divorced in September, 1995. Pam and Dale continued to stay in touch, helped each other through some difficult periods until Pam was ordered to a nursing home for mandatory care in September, 2006.

Pam and Dale continued to meet, go on vacations together, go to concerts, visit friends, and Marcy and grandson, Devin. Then in 2012, Pam was additionally diagnosed with COPD and dementia, both of which gradually progressed until recently when Pam had much difficulty breathing even though on oxygen. Pam passed away due to COPD on Sunday, July 31, 2022 at the Advena Nursing Home, Topeka, KS where she received very good care.

Pam is survived by her daughter, Marcy Lynn Barkley, Overland Park, Kansas; her grandson, Devin Alan Barkley, Overland Park, Kansas; and her ex-husband and friend, Dale Walters, Topeka, Kansas. Additionally, Pam is survived by her niece, Vicky Head (and her family) and her husband Larry, Troy, Ohio; her niece, Becky Chave Lininger (and her family), London, Ohio; and her nephew, Bruce Molen (and his family) and wife Janet, Tampa, Florida; and numerous cousins in Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Arizona, Alabama and West Virginia.

A simple remembrance and visitation will be from 3pm-5pm Monday, August 8, 2022 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Topeka Performing Arts, School Time Series, 214 SE 8th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603. To leave a message for Pam's family, please visit the guestbook below.